MBA Aviation Management; is it worth it?

[Jumeirah James]

Hi guys and girls. I need to pick your brains: I'm early 40's and am considering an MBA in Aviation management. It's basically as an insurance policy in case, God forbid, I lose my licence in the future. I wondered if it really would be beneficial to have this on my CV. I've got managerial experience and am tempted to go back that way, not because I’m a company man, but I think I could do a better job than a lot of people I’ve seen over the years. Others have mentioned this to me many times, but I’ve ignored it. Anyhow, to those that have obtained this degree or are in management, would you kindly pen your thoughts for me please?

Thanks in anticipation

JJ

[Orangputi]

Do it. It was the best thing I have ever done. It got me a great job and I havent looked back!

[Cyclopps]

James...,very good you started this thread.
I've been thinking of something in this regard for a while.
and trying to look for direction. Orangputi could you please
shed some light on this..
It be of benefit to me too.
thanks

[Orangputi]

PM me I will explain

[ReverseFlight]

Orangputi, I have also PM'd you. Thanks.

[Jumeirah James]

Orangputi, of course as it's my thread I've PM'd you too. Thanks :ok:

[belleh]

Trying to think of what could be said in PM that couldn't be said in public. This could well be of interest to people now or in the future; I was looking forward to seeing a reply and disappointed to see "PM me for info."

[Hot 'n' High]

Being a complete “Sado” and “Billy-no-mates” I have enjoyed doing two Masters as a “grownup” – not the subject you mentioned but an MBA and an MSc in Aerospace Safety Engineering (as that’s wot I woz in the past, an henjineer) and I can totally advocate a Masters (or 2!).

First and foremost, you will be amazed at what you crystallise out from your past experiences and can start to link onto a formal structure – often changing your opinions as to why things are done in certain ways – and often deciding that, come the :mad: Revolution, which of the others you would damn well change! Secondly, having a further qualification to back up your experience is a must – especially since the “value” of a Degree-level education has been totally devalued thanks to the availability of Degrees such as….. “Windsurfing” – I kid you not! And, finally, if you are like Hot ‘n’ High, I got to meet people even more sad than I was. Now, you will not believe how relieved I was to realise I was actually quite “normal”…..”ish”! :p

If you can – Go For It! And , if your Company will pay..... :ok:


Edit: "ish" added as, sadly, H 'n' H cannot be classed as "normal" - no matter how liberal the definition of "normal" is!!!!!

[Jumeirah James]

Dear H n' H,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply and the notion that you're 'normal' ;).

Would you kindly clarify the following: you mention that "a further qualification to back up your experience is a must" but then go on to say that the "value of a degree has been totally devalued". Confused my tiny brain a bit :\

Also, did such a degree make you more employable?

Fascinating opinions...please everyone, keep them coming.

Thanks

JJ

[Hot 'n' High]

JJ,

No problems - sorry I did not explain myself. By Degree I meant a Second or Masters Degree as your bog-standard Degree (or Degree level training, for example, ATPL level training which some equate on a par to a Degree) has been seriously watered down by the proliferation of Degrees in Windsurfing and the like! More and more aircrew will have first Degrees in the future so a Masters would be useful.

On the employability front, I have not changed jobs that much recently but, certainly, every interview I went to (successful or not), the Panel spent some while discussing, usually, my MSc and you could see them thinking about how they could use that in their organisations. So, in short, it will differentiate you from others and, given your future aspirations (either forced or through your own choice - I really hope due to the latter!) I would suggest it would be time/money well spent - and actually very interesting to boot!

Just my ha'penny worth!

H 'n' H

[Jumeirah James]

Thanks again H n H; I really appreciate your thoughts. Now to convince those higher up to pay for it :ok:

[Cyclopps]

orangputi check your pm.

[Hot 'n' High]

JJ, I wish you luck.

I was very fortunate and only ended up paying for 0.5 of a Masters. I managed to beg, steal or otherwise get my mits on the funding for the other 1.5 Masters :E.

It was a mix of being at the right place at the right time, in one case buying beers for the right person at a social event and generally making a complete nuisance of myself for the remainder! ;)

In one case, I had actually bitten the bullet and paid for 2/3rds of the Course before the fortunitous beer-drinking incident. Three rounds of drinks - £18. Funding obtained - £4,000! Now, that's what I call an ROI! :ok:

Good luck - and happy learning!

H 'n' H

[Jumeirah James]

Thanks again HnH :ok:

I admire your tenacity and am pretty similar in my single mindedness. All the best


JJ

[cypilot77]

I dont know about other countries but in the US, nobody seems to care if you have it. i personally have an MBA in aviation and cant find a job. But i suggest to do it if you have the time and money. I learned many many things about the industry.

[Jumeirah James]

Thanks cy...i appreciate the reply

[Trolle]

If you want my advice: Get a masters but don't focus exclusively on aviation.

I was a furloughed airline pilot in 2001. Had a BSc. in Aeronautics from one of those aviation universities (read pilot factory...at least I didn't get my initial training there). Got furloughed and took a Masters in International Economics. Passed up on returning full-time to the cockpit and managed to get a PhD with an airline that paid for it. Now I teach aviation management and research in aviation. You can learn the same, if not more, if you do a Masters that is not focused on aviation solely. Get a Masters in something you are interested in, otherwise you won't finish or you'll hate the experience.

If a Masters in aviation is your goal, then go for it. However, if you want to complement your skills then a broader Masters, such as in management in general, may be more applicable. Airlines are not staffed with people holding specific aviation degrees.

I can only recommend that people with experience or school from outside the industry be hired as they bring a fresh perspective to the table. You're much more valuable if you have some operational or airline experience, but have done some schooling in other fields. Otherwise, you may just end up regurgitating what everybody else knows.

[Mad Buzzard]

hi guys, i' 22 years old, i speak 3 languages and i am currently on air transport with commercial pilot training course (3rd year) i have my ppl and atpl but i can no longer fly because of a medical condition, my degree finished in a few months time, i am looking at masters but i am not sure of what to pick, any suggestions/experiences are apprecieated

[Genghis the Engineer]

Jumeirah - The MBA is a good, useful qualification but in your position I think I'd go for a general MBA rather than an Aviation one. It'll still be useable within aviation, but won't restrict you to it - plus at 40+ with a reasonable numbers in the industry, you'll already have a pretty good and demonstrable level of industry knowledge which the specific MBA won't really supplement.

G

[Genghis the Engineer]

hi guys, i' 22 years old, i speak 3 languages and i am currently on air transport with commercial pilot training course (3rd year) i have my ppl and atpl but i can no longer fly because of a medical condition, my degree finished in a few months time, i am looking at masters but i am not sure of what to pick, any suggestions/experiences are apprecieated

If it's a BSc you're on, I'd suggest either an MBA or an MSc.

If it's a foundation degree, top-up to a BSc.

Possibly a written English refresher before either.

G

[Re-Heat]

General MBA is of far more use. Not only can you bring examples from the non-aviation world into the aviation world afterwards when working, but you expand rather than limit your options upon graduation.

MBA is a general degree; it is not a specialisation, and should not be IMHO

[Jumeirah James]

Thanks to Trolle (excellent post), Genghis and Reheat. Great food for thought. If the company won't sponsor me for their Aviation MBA then i might as well take your advice and get the general MBA.

Thanks once again Gents. I really appreciate

[ReverseFlight]

I have a non-aviation MBA and when I compare it to a Master's in Aviation (taken by a friend), I can see it is a totally different kettle of fish.

An MAv is aviation specific and you'll learn a heck of a lot about the industry within the course content itself. A generic MBA is applicable to any industry - an aviator enthusiast may find loads of case studies about everything from real estate groups to supermarket conglomerates but nothing about airlines (unless you pick this as your thesis, a smaller part of your degree).

All I am saying if you want to open more doors, then be prepared to take a step back to view the entire world ; but if you want to keep aviation close to your heart, then go for an MAv. For the above reasons, having a generic MBA won't deter me from considering an MAv.

[Jumeirah James]

Thanks RF; your thoughts are much appreciated